Government Targets 2028 Completion for RIA Highway, Blames Previous Administration for Delays
By: Melvin Flomo
MONROVIA, Liberia – Public Works Minister Roland Layfette Giddings has announced that the Government of Liberia is targeting 2028 for the completion of the Roberts International Airport (RIA) Highway, while attributing the prolonged delays in the project to what he described as poor planning and execution under the previous Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC)-led administration.
Speaking during an interview on Prime FM, Minister Giddings said the Joseph Boakai administration remains committed to delivering the strategic road project despite inheriting significant technical and financial challenges.
According to him, the government is working diligently to ensure the RIA Highway is fully completed by 2028, describing the project as a national priority due to its importance as the country’s main gateway connecting Roberts International Airport to Monrovia.
Giddings alleged that the previous administration failed to establish a proper engineering foundation for the road, resulting in construction setbacks that continue to affect progress.
“The groundwork was not properly done,” the minister said, arguing that the current government has had to address deficiencies left behind before advancing with major pavement works.
He further claimed that funding allocated for the project was not properly managed, alleging that large sums were disbursed to contractors without adequate oversight. He disclosed that the Boakai administration is currently auditing the project’s finances to determine how previously allocated funds were utilized.
The minister maintained that the ongoing audit forms part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen transparency and accountability in public infrastructure projects while ensuring taxpayers receive value for money.
The RIA Highway remains one of Liberia’s most critical infrastructure projects, serving as the primary route to Roberts International Airport and a key corridor for commerce, tourism, and public transportation.
While the government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the road by 2028, the allegations against the former CDC administration have added a political dimension to the long-delayed project. The CDC has not publicly responded to Minister Giddings’ claims at the time of publication.
